Illinois-area ACMP member Tom Cappaert is full of surprises and fun ideas! You may remember his as ACMP’s second “Flying Cellist.” One of his many surprises: the “Flying Cellist” traveled to Ecuador with a VIOLIN (see above.)

Tom also features prominently on the ACMP website grants page in the preview photo for “Just Play” grants. (I couldn’t resist using an image of ACMP members after a concert at their local brewery.)

Speaking of “Just Play” grants, Tom recently received one for an informal concert at a pizzeria in Quito in March. Let’s hear about this event from Tom himself!

Tom writes:

ACMP helped to support an enjoyable chamber music event, “Puccini and Piazzolla in the Pizzeria” at Pizzeria Amici Miel in Quito, Ecuador on Monday, March 27th 2023.

Local Ecuadorian musician Eudin Ramos led the group in Piazzolla’s Libertango and Puccini’s Chrysanthimums. Eudin also brought great chamber music in the form of Ecuadorian pasillos and Colombian Bambuco dances. Originally trained as a marine biologist, Eudin has a dynamically inspired “laid back” approach, which is especially inviting to amateur players.

Since 2022, Ecuador now has three new chamber music coaches. Alejandro Jimenez (violin) and Victor Ortiz (guitar) of Quito, Ecuador have both received coaching grants in the last year from ACMP and were involved in the planning of this event. Eudin Ramos is also listed as a new coach for ACMP, and he seems to have an endless supply of new music that inspired us all.

Ecuador is a small country in South America, but there are so many good chamber music players in Ecuador that you can virtually experience the entire music culture of South America in one evening.

Are you planning any exciting travels?

If so, consider reaching out to one of ACMP’s IAC or NAOC representatives to help you meet new people and organize chamber music experiences.

And if you already have chamber music friends at your destination, perhaps you would like to organize an international “Just Play” event of your own!